Florence, Italy — Volkswagen may have been a bit tardy jumping aboard the hybrid bandwagon, but it’s now joining the party with class. The German automaker’s first entry in the trendy high-efficiency, low-emissions category is the 2011 Touareg, its flagship premium sport-utility vehicle.

The Touareg lineup has been completely redeveloped from top to bottom — its first redesign since its introduction seven years ago — and this new iteration includes a turbocharged 3.0-litre V6 gasoline/electric engine package that combines for 380 horsepower, the most powerful powertrain in the 2011 lineup. It’s a true parallel hybrid system that produces amazing acceleration and seamless transitions between power modes, plus reduced fuel consumption, according to Volkswagen. (The Canadian fuel rating is yet to be determined.)

The engine lineup for our market starts with a revamped, naturally aspirated 3.6-litre FSI gasoline V6 that generates 280 ponies. A new 3.0L, 240-hp V6 TDI turbodiesel engine with BlueMotion technology is also available and will likely be the most popular choice — since the current TDI became available in June, 96% of all Touaregs sold have been diesel powered.

Sadly, a potent new 4.1L V8 TDI turbodiesel, rated at 340 hp and capable of launching the Touareg to 100 kilometres an hour in just 5.8 seconds, will not be offered in Canada.

The 2011 Touareg is slightly longer (40 millimetres), wider (12 mm) and lower (17 mm) and sits on a 40-mm-longer wheelbase, but it’s 208 kilograms lighter overall. Advanced design techniques and more use of high-strength steel have shaved 70 kg from the new chassis, which it shares with the Cayenne from its new VW Group stablemate Porsche, yet the platform is 5% stiffer.

Weight has also been shed in the suspension components (about 70 kg) and powertrain (50 kg), resulting a vehicle that is not only lighter but more nimble. While driving through the hills and curving roads of rural Tuscany, I was impressed with the light but confident feel of the vehicle — it responded more like a sports sedan than an SUV. Similarly, during a run through parts of urban Florence with the hybrid version, the tight turning radius and quick steering were impressive.

VW is quick to note the improvements to this iteration, including the hybrid, have not compromised any of the valued attributes of the original, including its permanent 4Motion all-wheel drive, utility, off-road capabilities and towing capacity.

In fact, there was an opportunity to test the Touareg’s ability to cope with rough terrain on a specially created off-road course. While it’s doubtful most Touaregs will have to face anything worse than a trail to the cottage, this trial did demonstrate the vehicle is truly capable of getting down and dirty.

As for its capacity to tow, all Touaregs, including the hybrid, are rated to haul up to 3,500 kg. That rating is especially impressive for a hybrid, which typically has limited hauling capabilities. One factor that boosts this hybrid’s towing numbers is its transmission. Unlike most other gas/electric models, which employ a CVT (continuously variable transmission), this hybrid is equipped with a new eight-speed automatic gearbox — a feature that’s shared across the entire Touareg lineup. In fact, the Touareg is the first SUV to have an eight-speed automatic.

This new transmission has been developed from VW’s previous six-speed box, with the two additional cogs acting as overdrive gears, boosting fuel efficiency and reducing engine noise at cruising speeds. The additional speeds of this new transmission create a 20% larger gearing spread between first and top gear, which has also improved response. Even with the base 280-hp V6 gas engine, the new Touareg’s reaction is impressively immediate when the go-pedal is pushed. It also shifts smoothly and quickly, both up and down the gear range.

As another fuel-saving measure, all V6 engines will include a stop-start feature. When you pull up to a stop, the engine automatically shuts off.

Release the brake and the engine restarts. On average, this feature alone is expected to reduce fuel consumption by 0.2 litres per 100 kilometres, depending on the type of usage.

As a bonus, the reduced engine speeds have had a positive impact on noise within the cabin. Overall, the intrusion of sound into the interior was minimal, especially with the V6 diesel and the hybrid powertrain. It made for quite serene driving in a cabin that has been totally restyled.

One particular interior combination that impressed was a dark chocolate brown decor. The soft leather and wood trim generated a rich, calming effect when I settled into the wonderfully comfortable (and heated) seats. I’d lobby for this interior to be offered on Canadian Touaregs.

Although the exterior styling is new, the design spirit still speaks Touareg. The look is more dynamic, with sharper edges and sculpting. The side panels, for example, have a more concave shape, replacing the current generation’s convex form. The new corporate face of VW dominates the front end, which also features dramatic new headlights with LED running lights.

The new nose is also more aerodynamic, with drag reduced from 0.36 cd to 0.32 — helping enhance fuel efficiency.

New wheel styling and a panoramic sunroof will also be offered.

The new Touareg is due in Canadian dealers’ showrooms in October, although the hybrid model’s arrival will be delayed for at least six additional months while production of its electric motor and related components ramps up.

Pricing and packaging are still being discussed, but it’s expected the 2011 models will be priced similar to the current Touareg, which starts at about $45,000 for the base V6 with an additional $4,000 to move up to the popular TDI powertrain. Three trim levels will likely be available: Comfortline, Highline and Execline.